The Kwara State Government has unveiled a 10-year agricultural plan designed to make the state self-sufficient by 2030. This transformation plan will address aspects of the agricultural value chain, create job opportunities, and alleviate poverty.
The plan spells out opportunities in the agricultural sector and the challenges faced. It also identifies six pillars that are critical to the success of the plan, which are crop production, finance, and livestock, access to market, value chain, and crosscutting programmes. The document released in this regard details each of these pillars and the milestones in place in the course of implementation.
The State Governor, AbdulRazaq Abdulrahman, disclosed that the state plans to inject N2 billion into the agricultural sector in conjunction with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). A department at the state university would anchor this partnership. In addition, the state also plans to strengthen partnerships with stakeholders in the value chain. Plans are also in place to sign an agreement with the Lagos State Government on food production.
AbdulRazaq explained that the document also details a system for monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability. He added that the document details a plan to create inclusive growth by giving equal opportunities for women and girls to access the benefits. The French Ambassador, who the governor spoke with, agreed to send a team to Kwara State, as he is particularly interested in the sector.
For ease of movement of farm produce, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu said the administration is also making moves to improve rural road infrastructure. The Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) will take care of a – 700km stretch of road.
